Nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital Prepare to Strike Over Contract Dispute

Over 4,000 nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital are poised to strike on July 8 due to unresolved contract negotiations. Recent discussions with leaders from Mass General Brigham and union representatives failed to produce an agreement, with no further negotiations scheduled.

The main issues in dispute include salary adjustments and healthcare contributions. The union is advocating for a wage increase of 3% in the first contract year and 4% in the second. However, the hospital's offer excludes a uniform pay raise, pointing instead to the existing 5% annual step increase for nurses as sufficient to maintain competitive state salaries.

Changes to health insurance contributions are also at issue, where nurses using the Harvard Pilgrim Health Plan—covering about half of the union members—would see a 2.5 percentage point rise in monthly premiums. Current contributions vary from 0% to 20%, based on work hours and coverage type.

The strike was nearly unanimously backed by voting nurses. Historically, contracts included both overall wage increases and step increments. Union bargaining team member Jim McCarthy expressed discontent, stating, "A 0% offer from MGB is not just about wages, it is completely disrespectful to Brigham nurses and puts our patients at risk by undermining our nursing workforce."

Concerns have surfaced over perceived inequities between executive compensations and staff. Executives at Mass General Brigham, including CEO Dr. Anne Klibanski, who earns $8.4 million in 2024, receive substantial salaries. The hospital estimates the union's proposal, combined with step raises, would exceed $90 million annually, breaching the state's healthcare cost increase cap of 3.6% per year. Hospital leaders are committed to maintaining patient care quality during any work stoppage and remain dedicated to achieving a fair agreement.

To mitigate strike impacts, the hospital has secured over 1,200 traveling nurses. Though the union has called for a one-day strike, contracted traveling nurses are required to work a minimum of five days, delaying the return of striking nurses until July 13.

Additionally, 450 clinicians from the Mass General Brigham home care program are expected to begin a seven-day strike on July 8. Meanwhile, UMass Memorial Medical Center nurses in Worcester have authorized a potential 14-day strike, with no confirmed start date.